Theileria parva
| Theileria parva | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Chromalveolata |
| Subkingdom: | Biciliata |
| Phylum: | Myzozoa |
| Subphylum: | Apicomplexa |
| Infraphylum: | Sporozoa |
| Class: | Piroplasmea |
| Order: | Piroplasmida |
| Family: | Theileriidae |
| Genus: | Theileria |
| Species: | T. parva |
| Binomial name | |
| Theileria parva | |
Theileria parva is a parasitic protozoan, named in honour of Arnold Theiler, that causes East Coast fever (theileriosis) in cattle, a costly disease in Africa. The main vector for T. parva is the tick Rhipicephalus appendiculatus.[1] Theiler found that East Coast fever was not the same as redwater, but caused by a different protozoan.
Genomics
Theileria parva has four chromosomes and a plastome. In 2005 the sequencing of its genome was announced.[2] T. parva has genes that allow it to attach to white blood cell (leukocyte) membranes, enter the cells and take them over. It then activates the host cells' mitotic pathway, and multiplies along with the host cells. When the genome of Babesia bovis, another protozoan parasite that infects red blood cells (erythrocytes) and causes Babesiosis (Redwater) in cattle, was sequenced in 2007 their genomes were found to be remarkably similar.[3]
References
- ↑ Olwoch JM, Reyers B, Engelbrecht FA, Erasmus BFN (2008). "Climate change and the tick-borne disease, Theileriosis (East Coast fever) in sub-Saharan Africa". Journal of Arid Environments 72 (2): 108–20. doi:10.1016/j.jaridenv.2007.04.003.
- ↑ Gardner MJ, et al. (2005). "Genome sequence of Theileria parva, a bovine pathogen that transforms lymphocytes". Science 309 (5731): 134–7. doi:10.1126/science.1110439. PMID 15994558.
- ↑ Brayton KA, Lau AOT, Herndon DR, et al. (2007). "Genome Sequence of Babesia bovis and Comparative Analysis of Apicomplexan Hemoprotozoa". PLoS Pathogens 3 (10): 1401–13. doi:10.1371/journal.ppat.0030148. PMC 2034396. PMID 17953480.